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5:1 Rebuke not an
elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger
men as brethren; 5:2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as
sisters, with all purity.
5:3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.
5:4 But if any widow have children or
nephews, let them learn first to
shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and
acceptable before God.
5:5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and
continueth in
supplications and prayers night and day.
5:6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
5:7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.
5:8 But if any
provide not for his own, and specially for those of his
own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
5:9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years
old, having been the wife of one man.
5:10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children,
if she have lodged
strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if
she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every
good work.
5:11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax
wanton against Christ, they will marry; 5:12 Having damnation, because
they have cast off their first faith.
5:13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to
house; and not only idle, but
tattlers also and
busybodies, speaking
things which they ought not.
5:14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children,
guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak
reproachfully.
5:15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.
5:16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve
them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that
are widows indeed.
5:17 Let the
elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour,
especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
5:18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that
treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
5:19 Against an elder receive not an
accusation, but before two or
three witnesses.
5:20 Them that sin
rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
5:21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the
elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one
before another, doing nothing by partiality.
5:22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's
sins: keep thyself pure.
5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's
sake and thine often
infirmities.
5:24 Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment;
and some men they follow
after.
5:25 Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and
they that are otherwise cannot be hid.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to:
1 Timothy
Book: 1 Timothy
Chapter: 5
Overview:
Directions as to the
Elder and younger men and women.
(1,2)
And as to
Poor Widows.
(3-8) Concerning
Widows.
(9-16) The
respect to be paid to elders.
Timothy is to take care in
rebuking offenders, in ordaining ministers, and as to his own
health.
(17-25)
1,2 Respect must be paid to the dignity of years and place. The
younger, if faulty, must be rebuked, not as desirous to find
fault with them, but as willing to make the best of them. There
is need of much
Meekness and care in reproving those who deserve
reproof.
3-8 Honour
Widows that are
Widows indeed, relieve them, and
maintain them. It is the duty of children, if their parents are
in need, and they are able to relieve them, to do it to the
utmost of their power. Widowhood is a desolate state; but let
Widows trust in the
Lord, and continue in
Prayer. All who live
in pleasure, are dead while they live, spiritually dead, dead in
trespasses and sins. Alas, what
Numbers there are of this
description among nominal Christians, even to the latest period
of
Life! If any men or women do not maintain their
Poor
relations, they in effect deny the
Faith. If they spend upon
their lusts and pleasures, what should maintain their families,
they have denied the
Faith, and are worse than infidels. If
professors of the
Gospel give way to any corrupt principle or
conduct, they are worse than those who do not profess to believe
the doctrines of
Grace.
9-16 Every one brought into any office in the
Church, should be
free from just censure; and many are proper objects of
Charity,
yet ought not to be employed in public services. Those who would
find
Mercy when they are in distress, must show
Mercy when they
are in prosperity; and those who show most readiness for every
good work, are most likely to be
Faithful in whatever is trusted
to them. Those who are idle, very seldom are only idle, they
make mischief among neighbours, and sow discord among brethren.
All believers are required to relieve those belonging to their
families who are destitute, that the
Church may not be prevented
from relieving such as are entirely destitute and friendless.
17-25 Care must be taken that ministers are maintained. And
those who are laborious in this work are worthy of double honour
and esteem. It is their just due, as much as the reward of the
labourer. The
Apostle charges
Timothy solemnly to
Guard against
partiality. We have great need to watch at all times, that we do
not partake of other men's sins. Keep thyself pure, not only
from doing the like thyself, but from countenancing it, or any
way helping to it in others. The
Apostle also charges
Timothy to
take care of his health. As we are not to make our bodies
masters,
So neither slaves; but to use them
So that they may be
most helpful to us in the service of
God. There are secret, and
there are open sins: some men's sins are open before-
Hand, and
going before unto
Judgment; some they follow after.
God will
bring to
Light the hidden things of
Darkness, and make known the
counsels of all hearts. Looking forward to the
Judgment-
Day, let
us all attend to our proper offices, whether in higher or lower
stations, studying that the name and doctrine of
God may never
be blasphemed
On our account.